Envelope opener



Nov. 15, 192 7.

A. R. IRVINE ENVELOPE OPENER Filed May 26, 1926 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE.

BY M ATTORNEYS UNITED ALEXANDER Ross ravine, on

Application filed May 26,

This invention relates and is more particularly connection with a linger part of the ring, so that it STATE retinas s PATENT orrice- BROOKLYN, NEW YORK;

ENVELOPE OPENER.

to envelope openers,

adapted for use in ring, constituting a may be worn on the linger and may be used while on the fin ger to perform its functions. 1

A further object is to provide an envelope opener which operates to sevcrthe envelope flapiat the point or line the flap and the front of juncture between of the envelope thus cleanly cutting the envelope without possibility of damage to the contents velope.

of the on A further object is to provide an envelope opener of this character which may not only be used in connection with a ring but on any other suitable support, wh1ch 1s ornamental and attractivein appearance, which is simple and inexpensive 1n construction and which will functions for which it With these and other most efliciently perform the is intended. objects in v ew, the

invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts,

which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing my improved device in opening an envelope Fi ure 2 is a to) lan partly broken away;

Figure 8 IS a view in 5 device the operation of View of the device ;ide elevation of the Figure l is a view in front elevation of the device, showing a fragment of the en velope in section during ting;

Figure sectional view, of the device and cutting operation;

Figure 6 is a view show mg the process it cut 5 is a fragmentary plan inverted the initial position the envelope prior to the similar to Figure 5' illustrating the cutting operation;

Figure 7 is a plan view, with showing a modlncat-ion;

removed,

Figure 8 is a view in the top plate section on the line 88 of Figure 7, with the top plate in position.

As my invention is particularly adapted for use in connection w ith a finger ring,

shall hereinafter so describe the same, with I do not limit myself hich may be of any 1926. Serial No. 111,870.

v of thehand.

On this ring a base plate 2 is rigidlyfixed; A top or outer plate 3 is located above the basoplate 2 and spaced therefrom, and-between these plates 2 and: 3 a bladeholdcr 4 and ablade 5 are located.

I do not limit myself to the particular mannen of spacing the blade holder and blade from the respective plates, as this may be done in many ways. I may employ, for example, suitable cement or solder, which may when set: constitute spacer-s 6, or I may. employ properly shaped and formed blocks forthe purpose. These spacers or material only extend; part'wayof the width of the upper and lower plates 3 and 2 so that the envelope opener at its operative edge is in effect bifurcated or formed with a longitudinal groove or recess in which a portion of the. blade holder 4- and the blade 5 are located.

This blade holder at may be made and secured in various ways. A simple form is illustrated in Figure 3, in which the blade holder l constitutes a plate having a tapering recess 7 therein, with the blade 5 secured to the forward portion of the blade holder, and having its cutting edge 9 projecting inwardly beyond the edge of the blade holder so as to be in position for cutting operation, aswill more fully hereinafter appear.

The free end of the blade 5 may be shaped in any desired manner for convenience in finding its position for cutting, and I have illustrated the same as slightly bent at its free end, as shown at 10.

I would call particular attention to the fact that the blade holder 4t is preferably spaced farther from the plate 3 than it is from the plate 2 so as to accommodate between the blade and the plate 3 the thicker portion ofthe envelope or contents of the envelope to prevent severing of the same.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 I show a modifiedform of blade tive position, the latter may be punched or otherwise depressed, as shown at 15, to seat in a correspondingly shaped recess, as clearly indicated in Figure 8.

It will be noted that With all forms of my invention a rigid block or support is pro vided which is grooved in one edge and has located in its grooved portion a cutter or blade which preferably tapers toward its free end. a

a In operation,the envelope is placed in the position indicated in Figure 5, With the body of the envelope between the bladeand the outer plate 3' When the ring or the envelope is moved in the proper direction the end of the blade will contact With the fold line of the envelope flap, and then the envelope can be given a quarter turn to position the same and sever the fold line of the envelope when the latter is drawn longitudinally, as indicated in Figure 6.

I thus provide a very simple, efl'icient and ornamental'device, which can be sold to the trade at a reasonable price, and which can be used for opening envelopes Without any possibility or danger of injuring the 'contents.

Figure 1 illustrates in perspective the operation of opening an envelope, the latter indicated by the reference numeral 14'. The ring 1 is shown on the linger of one hand 15 while the thumb 16 and finger of the other hand are used to grip-the envelope and manipulate the same.

Various slight changes and alterations might be made in the general form of the parts described without departing from the invention and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at'liberty to make such slight changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

' I claim: a

An envelope opener,"comprising a block having a groove in one face and a blade having an inner cutting edge located within the groove of the block, said blade secured to the block at one end and tapering toward its free end, said blade having its free end so shaped as to be laterallyoifset with relation to the Walls ofthe groove whereby the end of the blade may find its position in a fold for cutting.

ALEXANDER ROSS IRVINE 

